Why you need a wedding website

In an age when nearly everyone appears to have a Facebook account, a Tumblr blog or is tweeting via Twitter, creating a personalised wedding website is becoming more and more popular for newly-engaged couples.

There are a plethora of free build-your-own sites that brides and grooms-to-be can use to start their own website, such as www.easyweddings.com.au, www.weddings.myevent.comwww.ewedding.com, although you can opt to pay for a professionally designed website if you’re not overly tech-savvy. and

These free, easy-to-use sites provide a wide variety of templated designs to choose from, so you can personalise your site and even match it to your wedding theme.

At its simplest, your site should include your basic information: your names, a photo of the two of you, your wedding date and location, and a brief greeting to visitors.

You can use your site as a way of sharing the initial news of your engagement – acting as a more up-to-date version of the old-fashioned newspaper announcement. 

Your website is also a convenient and paper-free way to send save-the-date announcements (or even your actual invites), updated news and tips to guests, manage your gift registry and guest list, and keep track of the RSVPs.

And with the increasing popularity of blogging, many couples use their sites as online diaries, sharing photos and details about their engagement, the planning process and their hopes for their future together.

Megan Hermeling from WeddingWire.com advises setting up your wedding website as early on in the planning process as possible; at least six months before the wedding.

"We have seen a growing number of couples include their personal website address in their save-the-date cards. Since the primary reason for a website is to share wedding details with your guests, you want to give them as much information as early as possible, especially if the guests need to make travel arrangements."

Indeed, it is destination weddings in which wedding websites become particularly helpful as a planning tool.

You can post any and all logistical details that might help your guests, such as the best way of reaching your wedding destination, including flight details and prices.

“Effective communication between you and your wedding guests is essential in the busy months leading up to your destination wedding,” says wedding planner Christine Jones.

“You should think of the site first as a clearinghouse of information. Posting things like, 'The welcome party is at 6pm on the beach, and we'll be sending a van to pick you up’. It's also helpful to include links to hotels, babysitting services, and any local sightseeing spots and activities you think your guests might enjoy.”

For London-based Sarah Aitken, 29, who married now-husband Brett, 33, in July 2010, starting their own wedding website was a way to keep friends and family back home in Tasmania abreast with the planning and preparation.

Sarah's mother Eleanor was also able to add updates to the site which helped eliminate some of the stress involved in organising a wedding from two different cities.

"My mum and I really collaborated together with planning my wedding and starting the website definitely helped," says Aitken.

“She was able to upload pictures of locations and gather comments from our guests in the online guestbook about their thoughts as well."

"It really felt like a joint effort. Which I would've had if I'd been planning my wedding from home, rather than from the other side of the world!"

After the big day, your website can also serve as a romantic online keepsake. You can upload your entire wedding album, snaps from your honeymoon and send your thank you notes to friends and family for their attendance and gifts via the site.

“I still log on to our wedding site,” reveals Aitken. “I love looking at all of our photos from the day and also reading through all of the comments our friends and family left. I also direct new friends to the site when they ask about what our wedding day was like.”

The Maldives: A honeymooner's guide

When it comes to escaping to a tropical paradise it's hard to go past The Maldives.

The pearls of the Indian Ocean, as it’s popularly known, are situated in the South West of Sri Lanka and are a series of ancient reefs that grew up around the sides of towering prehistoric volcanoes, which have long since sunk into the ocean, leaving behind the coral islands.

With its cobalt blue waters, fresh lagoons, sandy white beaches and clichéd swaying palm trees, The Maldives is a tropical haven and one of the few places around the world where you can enjoy complete and utter privacy.

Spend your days snorkeling, sunbathing and simply recharging. If you’re growing slightly tired of spending your days hammock-swinging and cocktail-sipping though, take a boat cruise around the nearby islands or try your hand at scuba diving, sailing or fishing.

When to visit: To soak up the best of The Maldives’ summer rays visit during the dry season (December to April).

Must-do: An ambitious scuba dive in the deep lagoons, where the water is deliciously bath temperature, is a must.

Stay at: The Rania Experience – Private Island Residence, The Maldives.

Hair advice from Kevin Murphy

Ensuring your hair is in peak condition for your wedding day (read: shiny and soft, not ratty and heat-frazzled) is all about investing in the right products and practices leading up to the day.

Called upon to attend to some of Hollywood’s top celebs’ hair (Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Selma Blair and Monica Belucci, to name a few) celebrity hair stylist Kevin Murphy offers his top tips to help maintain lustrous locks:

Cutting: “A haircut is everything… it’s your crowning glory and it can really make or break your look. If you get a good hair cut, it should grow out really well. A good hairdresser should cut your hair so the style lasts up to three months.”

Washing: “If you have long or coloured hair, it's important to use a quality shampoo and conditioner, particularly if your hair is fine as it’s more fragile. And fragile hair needs to be nurtured.”

Treatments: “If your hair is damaged, you need to invest in a good quality treatment and use it regularly. Ideally the treatment should be in a concentrated form, with ingredients specially chosen to assist in repairing your hair.”

Make your big day memorable: take a leaf out of Ashlee Simpson’s or Simone Harouche’s book

It’s no secret that on your wedding day you want to be in the spotlight. You’ve spent months planning your dress, which blooms will make up your bouquet and penning your heart-felt vows.

But don’t forget that while the day is about you and your partner, it’s also about bringing together friends and family.

Keeping your guests talking about your wedding for years to come should be high priority for couples; here are some novel ideas to ensure it’s a day they’ll never forget.

Theme times

By far, one of the easiest ways to make your big day memorable is by choosing a specific theme.

When Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz tied the knot in 2009 they took their cue from Alice In Wonderland, weaving references of the popular fairytale into almost every detail, from the reception site to the food, drink and decor.

“Weddings generally follow more or less the same format, but a wedding which is really fun or interesting is one with a theme,” says wedding planner Rebecca Marandola. 

“You could go with an autumn theme if you want to symbolise a time of change, or if you want something truly unique try a circus theme, with juggling acts, serve hotdogs and cotton candy and have a kissing booth.”

Say cheese!

Having a photo booth is a sure-fire way to capture memories a photographer might miss. For an extra-special touch, outfit your booth with themed props that match your wedding theme.

Stylist to the stars Simone Harouche provided her guests with top hats and faux moustaches for her photo booth at her 2010 wedding to Marc Bretter, which resulted in some hilarious snaps of guests Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie.

Can’t afford the expense of your own booth? Arrange for your photographer to snap pictures of your guests in front of a customised backdrop.

“Be sure to send your guests a copy of their photo in your thank you note,” says Marandola.

It’s wine time

For the quaffing couple, skip the signature cocktail and host a wine tasting instead. Display your own top picks to make it personal, and hire a sommelier to introduce the wine and teach each guest how to properly cleanse their palate.

Have a laugh

Keep your guests smiling all night and hire a professional jokester to work the room. Whether they’re doing a stand-up routine or just warming up the crowd between meals, the right comedian will know what is and isn’t appropriate material for the occasion.

“A comedian could also serve as MC for the evening,” suggests Marandola.

Luxe lounging

With all the dancing and eating going on, guests can understandably get a little weary. Give them a quiet place to mingle between dance breaks by creating a lounge area.

Fill the space with plush couches and plenty of pillows to sink into. It's the perfect way to keep everyone in on the party even when they're resting. Close off the area with curtains to create a VIP vibe.

Recent bride Talia Simpson says having a chill out area was great for tired guests and small children who were in need of a quick nap.

“We got married at a country club and our wedding planner helped outfit the lounge area so that it was really inviting for guests,” says Simpson.

“It was a hit! Most of our older guests who didn't dance opted to sit in there as well as guests with babies.”

A (surprise) routine

Take a few dance lessons before your wedding, but instead of the standard waltz, kick it up a notch by learning a sultry tango or a high-energy swing routine, and then surprise everyone during your first dance.

When Megan and Damien Bell married in 2010, they practised for weeks beforehand, getting their Dirty Dancing-style routine just right.

“It was so much fun,” says Megan, “we had our guests in stitches. I even did a big lift at the end!”

The extra touches:

♥ As your guests enter your reception ensure a fleet of waiters are on hand to offer your signature cocktail. Colourful trays will ensure the dapper servers stand out.
♥ Reception coming onto midnight? Liven up the party with late-night nibbles that will satisfy hungry reception-goers.
♥ Holding outdoor nuptials? Create rustic, personalised wooden signs in your wedding colours as pointers for guests, such as “This way to cocktail hour" or "Wedding this way!”
♥ Set up a personalised wedding website to give guests an insight into the preparation leading up to the big day.

Win a Blissful Fijian Honeymoon!

2011 Bride Tasmania Wedding Exhibition

The 6th Annual Bride Tasmania Wedding Exhibition promises to be bigger and better than ever. Come along for your chance to win a blissful honeymoon at Castaway Island, Fiji, courtesy of the Travel Studio, Level 2, 29 Salamanca Square Hobart. There will also be presentations from two of Australia's top bridal gown designers from Hills in Hollywoodand Jean Fox Bridal, as well as hair and make-up demonstrations from Imola Hair andStudio E. Spectacular European-style fashion parades begin at 12.00 noon and 3pm.

Hosted by Bride Tasmania Magazine, the event provides contacts, ideas and solutions for couples who are planning for a fantastic wedding celebration. As well as boasting aisles of displays from over 80 leading wedding specialists from across the state — fashion boutiques, reception venues, marriage celebrants, jewellers, cake decorators, hairdressers, makeup artists, photographers...and more. Virtually everything a couple needs to plan their wedding at the one venue, saving both time and money.

For brides and grooms-to-be who live outside Hobart, why not make a weekend of it? Mention the Bride Tasmania Wedding Exhibition when you book at either Mercure Hobart, Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel, The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel or Lenna of Hobart and Salamanca Terraces to receive a bottle of bubbly on arrival, as well as the best available room rates.

Sunday 15 May, 2011 • Derwent Entertainment Centre • 10.00am – 4.00pm
Entry – $8.50 • Fashion parades begin at 12.00 noon and 3.00pm.

Celebrity wedding: Reese Witherspoon & Jim Toth

Reese Witherspoon, 35 and LA-based agent Jim Toth, 40 tied the knot over the weekend at the film star's $7 million ranch estate in Ojai, California. 

 
The glowing bride wore a custom-designed gown by Monique Lhuiller, while 80 white doves were released after the duo said their "I dos."

Guests included Renee Zellweger, Matthew McConaughey, Tobey Maguire, Salma Hayek and Robert Downey Jr.
 

Wedding planner Yifat Oren, known for her eclectic style, reportedly handled the Southern-themed event, which took place under giant white tents set up on the property.

They newlyweds photographed at the lavish yet private San Ysidro Ranch just outside Santa Barbara, a 30-minute drive away from where the nuptials took place.

Toth and Witherspoon became engaged in December after he proposed with a US$250,000, 4-carat diamond ring.

“I now propose a toast!” A history lesson in Champagne houses

Your first toast as newlyweds should be done with some seriously luxe bubbles. We give you a brief history lesson on some of the world’s top champagne houses.

Moët & Chandon 

Claude Moët, a wine trader from a family that has resided in the Champagne region since the 14th century, founded his house in Epernay in 1743. In the 19th century his grandson, Jean-Rémy Moët, helped the house expand significantly by opening it up to foreign markets. Jean-Rémy Moët then handed the house over to his son Victor and his son-in-law, Pierre-Gabriel Chandon de Briailles: thus known from then on as Moët & Chandon.

Today, thanks to inherited tradition and know-how strengthened over the generations, Moët & Chandon is numéro un in the champagne stakes.

Veuve Clicquot 

The remarkable Madame Clicquot is often considered the first businesswoman of the modern era. Born Nicole-Barbe Ponsardin, she was widowed in 1805 at the age of 27. Veuve Clicquot – veuve meaning widow in French – defied every convention of the day to take the helm of her late husband’s small Champagne house. She enlisted help wisely, took astute risks and made important technological innovations (including the invention of remuage or riddling), leading the house to world-renown.

One of her most significant triumphs was sending a secret shipment of her Champagne to Russia in 1814 in defiance of Napoleon’s blockade.

Bollinger 

Champagne Bollinger was founded in 1829 and is still 100% family-owned. Somewhat unusually for those helming a Champagne house, members of the Bollinger family have been growers and producers from the outset, with 70% of Bollinger’s grape supply comes from its own vineyards. This percentage is a minimum, set out in Bollinger’s Charter of Ethics and Quality, which was first published in 1992. This Charter confirms the house’s commitment to true standards of excellence and reinforces its steadfast determination to maintain the standards that have made Bollinger a watchword for quality Champagne.

Paris: A honeymooner's guide

Deciding on a honeymoon destination? It's hard to go past the City of Light. Honeymooners from all over the globe flock to Paris every year for its impeccable cuisine, designer shopping, art, museums, sightseeing, and of course, romance.

For the truly eclectic Parisian experience head to Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement. This area boasts some of the city’s best patisseries and boulangeries, the stunningly stark, alabaster Sacré-Coeur Basilica, the famed Moulin Rouge, a heritage flea market, where you are guaranteed to find authentic French mementos, and even a small vineyard in the Rue Saint-Vincent.

The Rue de la Paix meanwhile is dubbed the “richest street in Paris” and is where you’ll find the world’s most up-market jewellers like Cartier, Van Cleef & Apels and Tiffany & Co, as well as a plethora of designer boutiques.

It is also a mere stone's throw from the most elegant landmarks of the city; Place Vendômem, l’Opéra, the Tuileries gardens and the Louvre are all nearby.

A gastronomes’ delight, Paris has plenty of fine-dining restaurants, but it’s hard to go past the famed L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon.

When to visit: The summer crowds and long queues can often be frustrating. Time your visit a month shy either side of the peak season to enjoy moderate temperatures and less tourists.

Must-do: If there’s one attraction on every tourist’s itinerary it’s undoubtedly the Eiffel Tower. While you can catch a glimpse of the iconic monument rising up above the city’s skyline from almost every vantage point in Paris, it’s not until you’re ascending the iron lattice tower’s hydraulic lifts, that you realise the beauty and majesty of Paris’ most treasured landmark.


Must-buy: Ladurée macaroons! Of all of the delightful, delectable treats you can sample in Paris – from sweet vanilla Mille-feuilles to rich moelleux au chocolat – no sweet is more perennially Parisian than the macaroon. And no one does them quite like Ladurée. Founded in 1862, the now-famous patisserie allegedly churns out over 135 tons of the biscuity treats every year, with flavours like ‘Madagascar chocolate’ and ‘blackcurrant violet’, while the pastel and ornate packaging make for a charming keepsake.

Stay at: Hotel Daniel, 8 Rue Frédéric Bastiat 75008 Paris, France.

Elizabeth Taylor: The consummate bride

I'm a huge Elizabeth Taylor fan. Always have been. Anyone who has a "love affair with jewellery" gets my tick of approval. And anyone who can do as she pleases, say what wants and marry who she likes (as many times as she likes), all with grace and panache, is a woman worth championing in my book.

So it was with great sadness that I learnt of her passing this morning. Aged 79, Taylor died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles from congestive heart failure.

As a tribute to the violet-eyed, untamed, bastion of beauty, we look at the many loves (and weddings) of this truly great lady.

Conrad "Nicky" Hilton (May 6, 1950 – January 29, 1951)

 

Michael Wilding (February 21, 1952 – January 26, 1957)

Michael Todd (February 2, 1957 – March 22, 1958)

Eddie Fisher (May 12, 1959 – March 6, 1964)

Richard Burton (March 15, 1964 – June 26, 1974)

Richard Burton (October 10, 1975 – July 29, 1976)

John Warner (December 4, 1976 – November 7, 1982)

Larry Fortensky (October 6, 1991 – October 31, 1996)

Finding your wedding's signature cocktail

Brimming with expertly crafted cocktails and a couture-clad guest list, cocktail soirées are fast becoming a popular option for modern couples who want the emphasis of their reception to be on celebrating and socialising.

Free from table settings and structured serving times, guests can mingle for the duration of the night, allowing for a truly festive and sociable atmosphere.

To personalise your cocktail party reception include a signature tipple for the night. You can ask your venue organisers to create something special to mark the occasion or come up with your own recipe.

At Bride Tasmania we love 'Wedded Bliss':

30ml Wyborowa Rose vodka
10ml crème de violette
30ml pink grapefruit juice
Top with Mumm Champagne

Serve ice cold in a champagne saucer with a rose petal garnish.